Two Dead and Seven Hurt in Early Morning Shooting in Asheville

What Happened?

Imagine it’s super early in the morning—around 2:20 a.m. on a Sunday. In Asheville, North Carolina, something very sad and scary happened on Biltmore Avenue (the 250 block, which is just a part of that street).

• Asheville Police say someone started shooting a gun.
• People called the police to say they heard shots and that some folks were hit.
• When police got there, they found many people hurt by gunshot wounds.

Help Arrived, But Two People Died

Lots of helpers showed up:

• Police officers
• EMS (these are the people who give medical help in emergencies)
• Asheville Fire Department workers

They all tried really hard to save everyone. But even with their help:

• Two people died right there at the scene (that means the place where it happened).
• Seven other people were taken to Mission Hospital to get better.
• We don’t yet know how badly those seven are hurt.

Important: Two people lost their lives, and seven more were injured. This is a very serious event.

What Are Police Doing Now?

Think of police like detectives in a mystery show. They are:

• Looking at a big area where the shooting happened (called a crime scene).
• Picking up clues like shell casings (the leftover pieces from bullets) and other evidence (proof of what happened).
• Trying to figure out why it happened.

So far, police think this shooting might be connected to another shooting that happened before.

Roads Were Closed, Now Open

While police investigated:

1. Biltmore Avenue near Short Coxe Avenue was closed.
2. Short Coxe Avenue up to Southside Avenue was also closed.

Good news: those roads are open again now.

How You Can Help

The police still need information. If you know something:

• Call the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110.
• Or stay anonymous (not tell your name) by:
  • Downloading the "TIP2APD" app (search "Asheville PD" in your app store).
  • Texting TIP2APD to 847411.

Important: If you saw or heard anything, please tell the police. You can do it without giving your name.

Summary

In Asheville, a shooting early Sunday morning left 2 people dead and 7 injured. Police are still investigating and believe it may link to an earlier shooting. Roads that were closed are now open. If you have info, call or use the anonymous tip app or text.

FAQ

1. Where did the shooting happen?
It happened on the 250 block of Biltmore Avenue in Asheville, North Carolina, around 2:20 a.m. on Sunday.

2. Are the roads still closed?
No. Biltmore Avenue near Short Coxe Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue to Southside Avenue were closed but have reopened.

3. How can I give a tip without my name being known?
You can use the TIP2APD smartphone app (search "Asheville PD") or text TIP2APD to 847411.

4. Do police know why it happened?
Not fully yet, but they think it may be related to a previous gun violence incident.

(This story will be updated as we learn more.)